Journaling Prompt Questions to Ask Your Protagonist

Sometimes, we writers can become so focused on writing an enticing, hard-to-put-down plot that we neglect one of the main building blocks of storytelling: Characterization. Without three-dimensional characters, our story falls apart, and our readers won’t have any motivation to follow the protagonist’s journey.

Another reason it’s important to craft well-developed characters is because the direction your plot takes is a direct result of characterization. Your protagonist’s personality, desires/goals, and backstory will influence his/her motivations; his motivations will influence the decisions he makes; and these decisions result in conflict. Thus, a plot is born.

To summarize: Without strong, believable, and authentic characterization, there is no story.

So how can we create well-rounded characters that dictate our plot? Is it possible to know our protagonist so well that, in a way, it’s almost as though we’ve become them?

Of course, filling out a character chart is a great way to figure out your characters’ basics. But sometimes, our characters don’t reveal their depth unless we ask specific questions that forces them to dig down deep. These questions reveal who they are truly are — not just the surface-level questions that character charts often present.

Interviewing your character — or asking them journaling prompt questions — will allow you to discover your protagonist at their very core. You’ll discover their unique voice, their heart, motivation, backstory, personality, etc.

Not sure of what to ask your protagonist? Here are some journaling prompt ideas to help you get started:

1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
2. Where do you hope to be in ten years? Why?
3. What do you wish you could tell your sixteen-year-old self? (Or if the character is a teen: What do you wish you could tell your twelve-year-old self?) Why?
4. If you could change anything about your life, what would it be? Why?
5. If you could change anything about your personality and appearance, what would it be? Why?
6. How would you describe your style? Be specific. Why do you prefer to wear these types of clothes?
7. How do you cope with anger? Disappointment? Depression?
8. Who is your best friend and why? What is your greatest memory with them?
9. What’s your biggest regret? Why?
10. In what ways do you like to express your creativity?
11. What’s a secret that you hope never gets out? Why?
12. What are you looking forward to the most? Why?
13. Why did you choose the type of car that you drive? If you don’t have one yet, what is your dream vehicle and why?
14. How have you changed within the past three years? How has your life changed within the past three years?
15.  Are you right-brained or left-brained?
16. What’s your happiest childhood memory? Why?
17. What’s your worst childhood memory? Why?
18. How have your parents influenced who you are, your worldview, and the decisions that you make today? How is your relationship with them? Do you resent the way they raised you?
19. Who is the person you admire the most? Why?
20. What’s your most prized possession? Why?

Questions for you …

How do you develop your characters? Do you prefer character charts or interview questions?